The Bloody Sunday Trust, in partnership with Irish Network Against Racism (INAR) and North West Migrants Forum will host a workshop in Derry as part of the 53rd anniversary of Bloody Sunday.
Bloody Sunday Trust director, Maeve McLaughlin, said:
Over recent years extreme right-wing groups have targeted our communities, spreading misinformation and propaganda in an effort to manipulate working class people towards their sinister agenda.
In some cases they have been successful in mobilising people around their messages of hate, they have been using social media and other strategies to achieve this. This his has led to many violent incidents, including numerous attacks on minorities.
“The workshop will bring together partners from community and voluntary groups, rights based organisations and political representatives from the city and beyond. We intend to produce a statement of intent that the North West is anti-racist and will never accept this type of hatred.
We are very pleased that local author Dave Duggan will facilitate this process
“It is a powerful statement that we use the 53rd Anniversary of Bloody Sunday to produce such a strong statement of intent for our future”
Conor Sharkey of the North West Migrants Forum said,
We are honoured to be asked to partner in the development of the North West Anti-Racism Charter.
“Amidst the misinformation and disinformation epidemic we currently find ourselves in it is more important than ever that we send out a strong message that we as a city, district and region stand firmly against racism, Islamophobia, xenophobia and hate. “By drawing up this Charter we are inviting, groups, institutions, individuals and politicians of all parties and none to join us in demonstrating a commitment to anti-racism.”
Shane OCurry, Director of INAR (Irish Network Against Racism) said
It’s a privilege to be working with a wide cross-section of groups from across the North West who have all expressed such a strong desire to reject the politics of fear, suspicion , division and hate. People in the North West know only too well where the politics of division and hate lead to, and the leadership shown by people from all backgrounds in bringing people together to write a common statement is heartening and inspiring”
The workshop will take place on Saturday 1st February, 2pm – 4pm , NW Centre for Learning Disability (Destined), Foyle Road, Derry In order to secure your place please RSVP to constance@bloodysundaytrust.org For further info contact Maeve McLaughlin at maeve@bloodysundaytrust.org
